Kochi Metro: From stations, fares to Make in India; 15 facts about the metro service in this Kerala city

Kochi Metro, is India's first metro service for a tier-II city and is being built at an approximate cost of Rs 6,000 crore. The first phase of the Kochi Metro is ready and will run for 13 km from Palarivatom to Aluva. Kochi Metro is part of the larger 'Water Metro' project which aims to provide an integrated public transport system in the city. Kochi Metro has been commissioned in a record time, claim officials. We take a look at some interesting facts about it:

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The total route length of the metro is 26 km with 22 stations planned, but in the first phase the metro will run 13 km and cover 11 stations.

A special priority area with a different colour scheme has been marked for the comfort of elderly passengers or pregnant women. Some seats have been provided cushions and are foldable.

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People with reduced mobility and those who use wheelchairs will be able to use dedicated areas in the metro car while commuting.

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The trains have multiple USB charging points for mobiles.

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The train's panels are made of aluminium and composites. They have an anti-graffiti protection – a move that would help keep the metro clean.

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Kochi metro is the first to have a Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC)-based signalling system, claims Alstom.

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The 11 stations are reportedly designed on various themes such as Kerala's maritime history, the Western Ghats, cultural and artistic heritage, spices and sports. The themes also showcase the local history of the Kochi city.

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The minimum fare to ride in the Kochi Metro will be Rs 10. You will have to pay Rs 40 to travel from one end of the line to the other; that is from Palarivatom to Aluva and vice-versa.

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In line with the mission to promote clean energy, roofs of all stations of Kochi Metro have solar power panels installed. The panels are expected to generate around 2.3 MW.

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Kochi Metro: The coaches have been manufactured by France major Alstom under the government's 'Make in India' initiative. According to Alstom, these coaches are the first to have been entirely designed and manufactured in India.

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Kochi Metro project has been constructed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and will be operated by the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL).

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Kochi Metro officials claim that the distance that has been covered in the first phase is the longest for any Metro in the country.

The feeder services to the Metro will include boats! The first phase of the 76-km 'Water Metro' is likely to be operational by 2019. With this, Kochi will become India's first city to have a boat service as a feeder to the Metro network.

Why Kerala government invited Modi for inaugural ceremony? It is the same Modi who insulted Kerala by comparing it with Somalia. Kerala has already set many milestones be it a highest literacy rate, highest ratio, highest human development index, women empowerment, use of solar power in airport and metro. Kerala doesn't require BJP government for development.